Day: August 9, 2023

About 1.6 million people in Rakhine state still haven’t received sufficient humanitarian aid almost three months after one of the worst cyclones to hit Myanmar in a decade, aid workers and local residents told Radio Free Asia.

Additionally, the rehabilitation process in the country’s westernmost state could be prolonged due to inadequate support from the military junta and the international community, the aid workers said.

The U.N.’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs recently announced that it has received only USD$24.3 million out of the estimated USD$333 million needed for relief and rehabilitation projects in cyclone-hit areas. Low-lying Rakhine lies along the cyclone-prone Bay of Bengal.

“There is an enormous gap between the amount needed and the amount provided,” a humanitarian organization official told Radio Free Asia. “They can only fill the very basic needs for the people.”

Cyclone Mocha made landfall on May 14 with sustained winds reaching over 220 kilometers per hour (137 mph), killing more than 400 people and leaving widespread destruction. Aid workers said that more than 90% of houses and buildings in northern Rakhine were damaged by the storm.

In early June, junta officials issued a blanket ban on transportation for aid groups operating in Rakhine. Authorities mandated that all international humanitarian aid, including U.N. assistance, must first be donated through the junta.

Maung Saw Win, a resident of Rathedaung township – where the cyclone hit hardest – told RFA that the people of his township have yet to receive any substantial aid.

“We haven’t received anything on the ground. We have seen 20 tractors arrive here. But that’s it,” he said. “We are trying to rehabilitate on a self-help basis.”

Other residents of cyclone-hit areas said they received some food, shelters and emergency aid materials from the World Food Program, the Red Cross and other international organizations right after the cyclone, but those deliveries have stopped.

Aid from ASEAN

The junta’s spokesman and attorney general for Rakhine state, Hla Thein, told RFA that the junta has allotted 5 billions kyat ($USD 1.6 million) for Rakhine’s damaged areas, and plans to allot an additional 7 billion kyat ($USD 2.3 million).

“We are also negotiating with international aid organizations to provide aid,” he said. “It is important that the private sector cooperates with the government. Only then, we can complete the mission in a short time.”

State-run newspapers have reported that ASEAN, China, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Korea and Japan have donated food, shelter, medicine and other materials through the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management.

According to RFA records, emergency aid worth USD$1.64 million has been donated by ASEAN, 40 tons of food, medicine and other materials has come from India, and food, shelter and other aid material worth over USD$1 million has been sent by China.

Additionally, Cambodia has donated USD$300,000, Indonesia has given USD$500,000 worth of materials, South Korea has sent 500 tons of rice, Japan has sent 20,000 rice bags, Bangladesh has given 120 tons of material, and Thailand has sent 20 tons of aid.

Hla Thein said they are delivering aid from ASEAN and the international community right after the material arrives in Myanmar.

But former lawmaker Aung Thaung Shwe said there is very little being delivered to cyclone victims. Some junta officials have summoned village heads to perfunctorily distribute some rice and paddy seeds, but that hasn’t been enough to meet the demands in the villages, he said.

The junta doesn’t have “effective means” to make the deliveries, Aung Thaung Shwe said.

The junta seized power from a democratically elected government in February 2021 and has been fighting anti-junta People’s Defense Forces and ethnic armed groups ever since.

One Rakhine businessman said it could take up to 15 years to rebuild the communities because of the junta’s unreliability.

“I don’t think the rehabilitation efforts will go smoothly and quickly if we relied on the government’s missions,” Khin Maung Gyi said. “We also see that the capacities of international NGOs and other NGOs have been crippled by the various restrictions.”

Source: Radio Free Asia

The International Rescue Committee (IRC), yesterday said, it has relocated over 15,000 Rohingya refugees and 300,000 members of the local communities in flash flood-hit Cox’s Bazar district of Bangladesh.

At least four people, including two Rohingya refugees, are reported to have died in the floods, IRC said in a statement.

The fragile infrastructure of the refugee camps, some 400 km south-east of the country’s capital, Dhaka, has been severely damaged, with over 2,000 shelters destroyed, including, facilities such as health centres and community centres that are vital to the wellbeing of the refugees.

In response to the disaster, the IRC said, it has deployed mobile response teams to affected areas in Cox’s Bazar, which are ready to deliver emergency health and protection services to refugee and local communities.

Meanwhile, the teams are carrying out a needs assessment to understand the full extent of the damage in the host communities surrounding the refugee camp.

Hasina Rahman, IRC Bangladesh Director, said, the present situation underscores the urgent need for long-term solutions to address the vulnerability of Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, which includes comprehensive disaster preparedness, infrastructure improvements, and sustainable measures to safeguard the lives and dignity of these displaced communities.

Those who are most vulnerable in society – people with disabilities, women, children, and the elderly – should be given special attention in the humanitarian assistance to the affected areas, said the director

Source: Nam News Network

Police have nabbed two persons for sexually harassing a juvenile through social media.

The Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police made public Samir Tamang and Suresh Tamang of Indrawati municipality in Sindhupalchowk district for sexually harassing a minor girl through social networking sites.

The duo had befriended the juvenile through Facebook and falsely trapped in love affair. Later they were found to have morphed the photo of the minor girl with lewd pictures, circulating them across the social networking sites.

They were also charged with torturing the girl through video-calls, said Spokesperson and Superintendent of Police (SP), Pashupati Kumar Ray.

In a case filed in the District Court, Kathmandu against the duo demanding maximum action against them under the Electronic Transaction Act-2063 BS, the court remanded both accused in custody for five days for further investigation.

Source: National News Agency-Nepal

Dr Bhagawan Koirala is a household name in Nepal. For those who have got a new lease of life through his medical treatment, he is akin to God, as his name stands for.

The public of Nepal have a lot of confidence in and high regard for him for making treatment of heart diseases very reliable and trustworthy in Nepal.

Not only does he possess thematic expertise, the celebrated cardiologist too has a heart of gold as he has facilitated the free treatment of heart disease for thousands of impoverished patients of all different age groups.

Best known for leading the team of Nepalis surgeons that successfully conducted open-heart surgery in Nepal for the first time, the sexagenarian surgeon during his three-decade long career has conducted over 14,000 heart surgeries thereby giving them a new lease of life.

He penned a book named 'Hridaya'(Heart) and launched in the market some time ago. The book became best-seller in no time. The book encapsulates Dr Koirala's stories of struggle and success, the solutions to the problems prevailing the health sector as seen by him and analytical views on various issues plaguing medical education of the country.

After reading the book which vividly portrays the challenges and possibilities in the health sector of Nepal, one comes to know of his managerial qualities besides being acquainted with the stories of a dedicated, diligent and honest surgeon.

Dr Koirala's working style- completing task at any cost after commencing it, could be an example to any one in any sector.

He is a member of a specialized medical committee formed recently by the Ministry of Health and Population to provide healthcare services to VVIPs and VIPs within the country.

Here are the excerpts of the interview RSS Feature Chief Krishna Adhikari conducted with senior cardiothoracic surgeon, professor and social worker, Dr Koirala.

Q: The number of heart patients is increasing in Nepal lately. What are the main reasons for this?

A: Indeed, the number of heart patients is increasing in Nepal. Unhealthy lifestyle and unbalanced diet are the leading causes.

Although cases of communicable disease such as tuberculosis, malaria and diarrhoea were decreasing in the country, number of incommunicable ailments such as heart disease is on the rise.

With the increase in average life expectancy of Nepalis, the prevalence of incommunicable diseases also grew. The heart related complications detected among the youth in the recent times are largely due to unhealthy lifestyle and unbalanced diet.

Q: What kind of attention one has to pay to prevent heart disease?

A: Some of the causes of heart disease such as age, gender and genetics are not under our control. However, most of the risk reduction is in our hand. Heart disease can be prevented by avoiding cigarette and alcohol, lifestyle change, exercising regularly and reducing obesity among others.

Air pollution is also known to increase risk of heart diseases and other ailments. Lack timely diagnosis and treatment and utter negligence to the treatment that could be done on time among others aggravate the problems later.

If the children having throat problems are not treated on time, they develop were found to have developed heart related complications later.

If people exercise spiritual practice and increase the habit of doing yoga and meditation regularly, it will automatically generate positive energy which thereafter helps to prevent any complicated health problems including heart.

Q: How can heart disease treatment services be made accessible to all common Nepalis?

A: Since getting healthcare services is fundamental right for any citizens, it is necessary to ensure everyone's access to healthcare services. Some healthcare services needs to be decentralized to take it to local level while others could be brought to the centre or major urban areas.

Health services that could detect heart disease at an early stage could be decentralized from district hospital to the local level health centres. Likewise, the specialized service could be expended to major cities.

At present, all sorts of heart disease treatment services are available at the Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre and the Manmohan Cardiothoracic Vascular and Transplant Centre in Kathmandu.

The service initiated in the Bir Hospital in the 1980s and interrupted in between has been resumed. Quality heart disease treatment services are being rendered in Chitwan, Pokhara, Butwal, Nepalgunj, Birgunj, Dharan, Biratnagar and Jhapa districts.

Q: What is the quality of Nepal's heart disease treatment service like compared to other countries in the world?

A: The treatment services for heart diseases in Nepal cannot be considered weak or substandard in comparison to other countries of the world. There is certainly a lack in technology compared to rich countries but the Nepali surgeons are no less competent than those of them there.

There is availability of treatment services including surgery needed by the general people in Nepal. The Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre has been transformed into an important hospital of the country. Likewise, the Manmohan Cardiothoracic Vascular and Transplant Centre is also equally effective.

A: The Kathmandu Institute of Child Health (KIOCH) is being established in your initiative. What prompted you to establish such a hospital?

A: Children's health should be viewed holistically, not just as a treatment of heart. We reached to this conclusion after a wide-breath of experiences in health sector.

I felt the need for super-specialty hospitality for the treatment of children in Nepal after seeing the pain suffered by many children in lack of money and access to proper treatment facilities on time.

To address that dearth of dedicated and decentralized healthcare service centres for children, I made a plan to construct a Hospital so that no children should lose their life in lack of money or lack of technology or lack of access to medical treatment.

A dedicated hospital like Kanti Children's Hospital ought to decentralize its services but owing to various reasons, it could not implement the decentralization of the services.

Hence, we are establishing a specialized children hospital (KIOCH) in Kathmandu with seven satellite centres in all seven provinces in support of the government of Nepal.

Here, those who cannot pay the fee are provided treatment for free of cost. The first provincial branch of the Hospital is already operative in Jhapa district.

Q: How did the desire to establish a hospital arise?

A: Out of every 100 children born in Nepal, 3 to 4 do not see their fifth birthday. Those children lost their life because they were bereft of basic health services and specialized treatment on time.

Lack of specialized hospitals for children in Nepal was a cause of concern for me. The desire to establish a children's hospital arose in me to fulfill the lack of specialized hospital for children and no child should die prematurely due to lack of money, services and access to treatment.

Q: The incumbent government has recently formed a specialized medical committee including you to provide healthcare services to the VVIPs and VIPs within the country. What's your take on it?

A: While the government is improving the quality of healthcare facilities and rendering quality healthcare services, the committee was formed acknowledging the scenario that a large amount of money was being spent abroad for the treatment of VVIPs and VIPs annually and they do not seem to have confidence over the healthcare providers and services within the country.

The formation of a committee certainly has sent a positive message to the public. But it is also necessary to widespread the message that this kind of healthcare services are not only provided to the VVIPs and VIPs, the public also get such services at home.

How feasible is it to provide such services from a single (Bir) Hospital? We need to take into consideration the wishes of VVIPs and pragmatic aspects as well.

Treatment could be provided from all major hospitals across the country by preparing procedure for forming a group of specialized doctors, for management of treatment according to specialized medicinal methods and process.

We doctors are excited and happy because when we provide medical treatment to the VVIPs and VIPs at home, it helps save state coffer and build up and increase public's confidence over doctors.

Q: Your book named 'Hridaya' was published some time ago. How did you get motivation to write and publish the book?

A: Upon the completion of my study, I got the opportunity to work in various health institutions in various capacities. In the book, I have illustrated about the how much of suffering or ordeal one has to endure to establish healthcare centres providing complex and risky healthcare services.

I have put forth analytical views on the ways to solve the problems prevailing the health sector and medical education sector. The book is a recollection of countless memories of stress, struggle, restlessness as well as funny anecdotes and success stories in my career spanning over 30 years.

The book aims to give a message that anyone could solve any problems and attain success if one is committed to one's cause.

Source: National News Agency-Nepal

The Prithvi Highway has been obstructed after the road at Kantar of Byas Municipality-5 in Tanahun district has caved in, said the municipality. The road collapsed today afternoon due to incessant rain for the past two days.

As a result, two-way traffic has been obstructed, and it takes time to repair the road, said Bishnu Kumar Shrestha, the ward chair. Following this, the vehicles heading to Pokhara from Damauli have been redirected through Bhorletar chowk of Damauli bazaar and Polang, he said.

Initiatives have been taken to clear debris and resume the obstructed road, said the district police office.

Source: National News Agency-Nepal

The main opposition party, CPN (UML), obstructed the proceedings of the House of Representatives today soon after the start of the session. The main opposition party lawmakers started sloganeering.

All the agenda of the meeting have been removed after the opposition party's obstruction and the House meeting has been postponed till Friday.

UML lawmaker Surya Bahadur Thapa Chhetri, at the outset of the meeting, voiced his party's demand that an investigation committee should be formed for probing the gold smuggling scam.

The ruling party lawmakers too stood from their respective seats when Chhetri was putting his views.

At this, Speaker Devraj Ghimire requested the lawmakers to take their seats as Chhetri was speaking.

The UML lawmakers picketed the rostrum and started sloganeering after the ruling parties' MPs took their seats.

The CPN (UML) is calling for the formation of a probe committee to investigate into the smuggling in of 100 kgs gold through Tribhuvan International Airport on July 18.

In the meeting, Speaker Ghimire had urged the UML lawmakers to cooperate in the operation of the House business as discussions are on from various angle on the topic related to the gold smuggling scam and the Home Minister has already briefed the House about this matter.

"Parliament is the forum for raising people's voices. There are several issues like incidents of floods and landslide, among other topics, to be raised in parliament at present," the Speaker reminded the lawmakers.

Today's meeting of the House has been postponed after the UML lawmakers continued the obstruction and sloganeering despite the Speaker's requests to allow the House to carry out its business.

The House of Representatives will next meet at 1.00pm on Friday, August 11.

Source: National News Agency-Nepal

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma today expressed his confidence that the vision and ideals of Bangabandhu will continue to guide and inspire the strong bonds of friendship between India and Bangladesh and their peoples for generations to come.

In honouring the legacy of Bangabandhu, the two countries are also reminded of their shared sacrifices in the Liberation War of 1971 that continues to provide the foundation for their special relationship, he said.

The envoy made the remarks while visiting Tungipara to pay his warm tributes to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his 48th Death Anniversary, a press release issued by Indian High Commission here said.

He placed a floral wreath at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu, honouring his enduring legacy and his historic contributions to shaping the history and progress of Bangladesh as an independent and modern nation.

During the visit, the High Commissioner also visited Orakandi and interacted with the members of the Matua community and offered prayers at the holy shrine in Shridham Orakandi.

He highlighted that people-to-people contacts are at the heart of India-Bangladesh relationship and reiterated India's commitment to bolstering cultural exchanges and development partnership between the two countries.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Gulf Air today signed a strategic code-share agreement to enhance travel connectivity, convenience and accessibility for passengers traveling between Bangladesh and the Gulf region.

The official signing ceremony for the code-share agreement was held virtually at Biman Head Office with representatives from both airlines connected through web platform to commemorate this momentous occasion.

With this agreement, Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Gulf Air will collaborate closely to expand their flight networks, offering an extensive range of options to their respective passengers.

The code-share agreement will enable travelers to seamlessly book flights operated by either airline, providing increased flexibility and efficiency in travel planning.

Initially, under this agreement passenger can travel from Dhaka to Bahrain and Bahrain to Dhaka with onward connection to Chattogram and Sylhet by both the Airlines.

"We are thrilled to join hands with Gulf Air in this code-share agreement which will unlock new possibilities for our customers and strengthen the bonds between Bangladesh and the Gulf countries," said Biman Managing Director and CEO Shafiul Azim on the occasion.

Similarly, CEO of Gulf Air Captain Waleed Al Alawi said through this code-share agreement, his carrier is looking forward to offering its passengers an expanded network of destinations and more travel choices.

The code-share agreement between Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Gulf Air will also benefit both airlines through enhanced operational efficiency and shared expertise in the aviation industry.

Both airlines are committed to prioritize the safety and comfort of their passengers while ensuring seamless travel experiences throughout their journey.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha